Book a holiday to Los Angeles USA and read our guide

Los Angeles, the most famous Californian gateway, is perfect for a glamorous beach break, celeb-spotting and some great cultural outings. The land of entertainment par excellence, Tinseltown offers many cinema-related activities as well as a varied range of beaches to suit everyone's taste.

Los Angeles Introduction

Sporty types can rent a bike or inline skates in Santa Monica and cycle down the 19-mile bicycle path into LAs South Bay cities of Manhattan Beach, to play beach volleyball, and Hermosa Beach, to chill out.

Venice Ocean Front Walk is a must-do to witness first-hand the unique LA atmosphere of sun worshippers and bodybuilders while Malibu is best for surfing and swimming.

Not to be missed either are the chic Orange County's Laguna Beach and for more privacy, Zuma Beach set on a rugged beach land. To take a break from the seaside, the desert of Palm Springs is worth paying a visit to discover this architectural treasure trove.

Evenings can be spent in the newly renovated Downtown, home to many trendy restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Getting there

International flights arrive either at Los Angeles International Airport or Ontario International Airport. From the UK, direct flights are offered by Virgin Atlantic, BA, Air New Zealand, United, American Airlines and Air France.

Getting around

Los Angeles doesn't have a real areawide public transport, so car hire, may it be a convenience car from a worldwide company or a more alluring classic car from Beverly Hills Rentacar, is the only solution if you wish to travel around the different neighbourhoods.

Don't miss

Take a cruise from Long Beach harbour for some spectacular whale watching; play beach volleyball; and rent rollerblade to explore Venice Beach's famous walkboard.

Shopping

Los Angeles is home to everyone who is anyone, plus all the film wannabes in Hollywood, so expect boutiques to match the A-listers' lifestyle. For top-end designers, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Sunset Plaza are the places to go. West Hollywood's Avenues of Art & Design District are great for art galleries and hip boutiques. Melrose and the Beverly Center should also be on the map of any serious shopper.

Eating and drinking

LA cuisine ranges from the strictly macrobiotic to good old burgers and chips. For more sophisticated meals, some of the best restaurants in town include The Peninsula's Roof Garden, London West Hollywood's Gordon Ramsay restaurant, the two-Michelin star Spago in Beverly Hills, Via Veneto for fine Italian food and the Viceroy's Whist restaurant in Santa Monica.

For pure romance, couples will particularly enjoy a sunset dinner in one of the hidden coves of the secluded El Matador Beach.
Going out in LA can sometimes be tricky due to the very selective door policy at some trendy bars. Some of the most outstanding places to have a drink include the Standard Downtown Rooftop Bar, Sky Bar at the Mondrian, The Four Seasons' Window Bar and the Chateau Marmont to spot a film star or two.

Sightseeing

Cultural sites are aplenty including the spectacular Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall; Downtown's Museum of Contemporary Art and its West Hollywood Branch, the Pacific Design Center; the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels; the Getty Center and its art collection; The Broad Stage and The Edye Second Space in Santa Monica; and the newly opened Annenberg Space for Photography and L.A. Live entertainment complex.

A trip to LA wouldn't be complete without the obligatory stop at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater and a tour of Beverly Hills and going up the Runyon Canyon to get close to the legendary Hollywood sign and have a breathtaking view over the city.

Type of holiday destination

Ideal for couples and singles who want to have a first-class beach holiday with some star-gazing, shopping and partying thrown in.

Climate

Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate with an average of 23° C throughout the year and peaks at 29° C in August.

When to go

March to June and September to January are recommended for those who want to avoid the busiest and hottest months of the year, July and August, as well as the film award season from mid-January to February which are great to see celebrities but not so good to get a room.

Places to stay

The Beach House at Hermosa Beach, Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, Redondo Beach, Malibu Beach Inn and Ocean View Hotel are great beachfront hotels. Other luxury properties to get that special A-list feeling include The Standard, Omni, Westin Bonaventure Hotel, The Peninsula, Beverly Wilshire, The Montage Beverly Hills, The Thomson Beverly Hills and The London West Hollywood.

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